Today we want to provide tips on how to protect your hearing if you work in a loud or noisy environment. Some of us can’t avoid working in a loud environment because of our work but it can definitely be challenging. Not only do you get headaches from constant noise, but you may also notice that when you leave work your hearing is impacted for a short while. Did you know that constantly being exposed to loud noises can actually damage your hearing over time? Well, it can, and it can lead to damage to your hearing that may be permanent. That’s why it’s important to take precautions at work, and here are some ways you can do it.
Know when the noise is too loud
Over time you may have become used to louder noises, and it might be difficult for you to understand when it’s actually too loud. Did you know that sounds above 85 dB can cause harm over time, and sounds over 120 dB can cause immediate damage to your hearing? So, if you work in a place where there’s a lot of machinery or vehicles, you could be in danger. The same goes for listening to music loudly in headphones; remember to keep the volume down so that you don’t damage your hearing. Once you’re able to recognise when the noise around you is too loud, you can take proactive steps.
Use hearing protection
Speaking of proactive steps, one of the best ways of protecting your hearing when you’re unable to avoid loud noises is to use ear protection. The most common solutions here are usually earplugs or earmuffs, but you could opt to use noise cancelling headphones and play music at a low volume instead. And, it’s important to remember that if you do work in a noisy environment, your employer should provide hearing protection for you, so make sure you chase that up if they don’t.
Get regular check ups
Another way of looking after your hearing if you work in a noisy environment is to get regular hearing check ups. Doing this means you can detect any early signs of hearing loss and take action sooner rather than later. They may even recommend wearing hearing aids to help you hear more clearly and also dampen sounds in the workplace. Hearing aids in this day and age are much more advanced, and can be tuned to drown out loud and dangerous noises. Take the time to look at OTC vs. prescription hearing aids so that you can get the right hearing aid for your needs.
Implement safer working conditions
Finally, sometimes the best route to take is prevention. So, while you’re wearing your earplugs to protect your hearing, you should also look into putting safer working conditions into place. This could mean:
- Rotating shifts so that no one is exposed to loud noises for prolonged periods of time
- Make sure that any work that doesn’t involve a machine is done at a safe distance away
- Talk to your employer about using noise reducing barriers.
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